LEFT : Hi-Pro representative , Garvin Abrahams ( centre ) gives tips to residents of the Open Arms Drop In Centre on how to improve their vegetable garden .
ABOVE : Mrs . Yvonne Grant
LEFT : GeAnne Dwyer , Brand Officer , The Best Dressed Chicken , hands over a basket of products to Mrs . Yvonne Grant of the Open Arms Drop In Centre . Looking on are representatives from Jamaica Broilers Group , The Best Dressed Chicken and Hi-Pro along with members of staff at the centre .
Yvonne Grant
BRINGS THE HOPE OF A SECOND CHANCE FOR THE HOMELESS
It is a story of faith , hope and charity in action . Thrice-retired , UK-trained Yvonne Grant is the strength and source of inspiration for scores of homeless and deported men who have no relatives or friends to provide love and support when they fall on hard times . For 10 years , she has made it her calling to provide a safe haven for them and to offer a second chance in life .
This 70-plus , slim built , friendly , energetic mental health nurse , with majors in psychiatry and psychology , is no push over . While she exudes love beyond the ordinary for persons who are shunned by society , she also expects them to show respect for each other and to understand the consequences if they break the rules of the Open Arms Drop In Centre she operates .
Currently , Mrs . Grant has 82 men under her care at the Centre , located on the vast Bellevue Hospital property . The age range of the medium to long term residents is between 18 and 59 , with the eldest resident currently being 90 years old . Residents are allowed to engage with society and urged to seek gainful employment based on their proficiency in skills which they are taught at the Centre . All residents are encouraged to get involved in legal , meaningful , positive and uplifting social activities when they go out and must adhere to curfew times . The men only leave the premises after they have completed their daily chores which include cooking , farming , maintenance and janitorial duties .
“ We cannot afford to hire persons to carry out daily chores because we live on donations of cash and kind . So right now , we operate with a skeletal administrative staff . Furthermore , the residents need to be engaged in activities each day as part of their rehabilitation and healing ,” said Mrs . Grant . As such , each resident is responsible for their laundry and must help the other residents who have difficulty assisting themselves .
The Jamaica Broilers Group ( JBG ), as part of its ‘ Share the Love ’ 2017 campaign , partnered with Mrs . Grant to assist the efforts at the Open Arms Drop-In Centre . The Company ’ s staff donated hundreds of canned goods , staples such as rice , sugar and flour , hygiene products , and cleaning agents over the course of one week which they dubbed the “ JBG Week of Love ”. JBG matched staff efforts with donations of the Best Dressed Chicken and farm supplies from the Hi-Pro Ace Supercentre .
During a recent visit to the facility by representatives of Jamaica Broilers Group and its subsidiaries Best Dressed Chicken and Hi-Pro , a number of the residents were seen seated on garden benches under a huge , fully blossomed mango tree enjoying the cool tropical afternoon breeze .
Some were reading , others conversing or alone in a reflective mood . In fact , one resident , who greeted us in an American accent , found solace in a book seated alone near the greenhouse holding plants that are sold to the public to bring in revenue . Open Arms Drop In Centre also provides car detailing services to the public well below market prices .
There are three levels of residents at the Open Arms Drop In Centre : the ‘ drop ins ’ who come by daily for food , a shower , change of clothes and training ; those who live in a dormitory setting and those who work and live in single rooms , in a special area complete with bathroom facilities , a kitchen and living room . Members of the latter category are required to make a small financial contribution , while having the responsibility for the upkeep of that area .
The facility also offers continuous training in areas such as literacy , barbering , sewing , farming , computer training , culinary arts , upholstery , car detailing , bee keeping and job interviewing skills . Mrs . Grant advised that 14 residents sat the Level 2 City and Guild examinations in Mathematics and English Language in July last year . All but one got distinctions and merits in both subjects .
“ We want to ensure that our residents can be reintegrated into society when they wish to leave . Of course , we depend on contributions from a wide cross section of local and international organisations , as well as individuals and churches , who make donations of food and clothing on an on-going basis . In fact , this facility started out as an abandoned one-room facility and today we have safe , strong buildings , which were constructed by groups of my international friends and other volunteers ,” said Mrs . Grant .
Mrs . Grant paid tribute to Dr . Aggrey Irons , Director of Mental Health and Substance Abuse in the Ministry of Health and former Senior Medical Officer at the Bellevue Hospital who worked tirelessly to help get the project started , as well as Mrs . Marva Christian for her continued support and generosity . She also acknowledged Homel , her husband of 53 years , who has remained a committed life partner , and has supported her choice to sacrifice finances , time and expertise to bring dignity and safety to persons who have been abandoned by society .
“ I am always happy to see persons bearing gifts , such as the Jamaica Broilers Group , Best Dressed Chicken and Hi-Pro , who brought us protein and farm items today . This is how we continue to survive , together with God ’ s guidance which I seek each time I get an idea for further improvement and expansion ,” Mrs . Grant said .